In the first panel, Cueball makes the chance observation that tapping different points on a desk's surface results in different pitches being produced, a consequence of the desk's different {{w|Acoustic_resonance|resonant frequencies}} at these points. He soon learns that by using the pitches produced, he can replicate the well-known theme music to the film {{w|Jurassic Park}}. The third panel depicts that, given a lack of other entertaining stimuli, Cueball soon becomes engrossed in his newly-discovered musical instrument and his music grows in complexity.

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In the first panel, Cueball makes the chance observation that tapping different points on a desk's surface results in different pitches being produced, a consequence of the desk's different {{w|Acoustic_resonance|resonant frequencies}} at these points. He soon learns that by using the pitches produced, he can replicate the well-known theme music to the film {{w|Jurassic_Park_(film)|Jurassic Park}}. The third panel depicts that, given a lack of other entertaining stimuli, Cueball soon becomes engrossed in his newly-discovered musical instrument and his music grows in complexity.

This is a fun observation about part of human nature, to which many people can relate. Sadly, Cueball doesn't feel like telling Megan what he did, and just gives her an empty answer. Cueball perhaps feels, as Randall suggests in the mouse-over text, that he could not explain why the tapping activity was fun in its own right and not just a consequence of boredom, so avoids having to explain in the first instance.

This is a fun observation about part of human nature, to which many people can relate. Sadly, Cueball doesn't feel like telling Megan what he did, and just gives her an empty answer. Cueball perhaps feels, as Randall suggests in the mouse-over text, that he could not explain why the tapping activity was fun in its own right and not just a consequence of boredom, so avoids having to explain in the first instance.

Revision as of 06:20, 19 December 2013

Explanation

In the first panel, Cueball makes the chance observation that tapping different points on a desk's surface results in different pitches being produced, a consequence of the desk's different resonant frequencies at these points. He soon learns that by using the pitches produced, he can replicate the well-known theme music to the film Jurassic Park. The third panel depicts that, given a lack of other entertaining stimuli, Cueball soon becomes engrossed in his newly-discovered musical instrument and his music grows in complexity.

This is a fun observation about part of human nature, to which many people can relate. Sadly, Cueball doesn't feel like telling Megan what he did, and just gives her an empty answer. Cueball perhaps feels, as Randall suggests in the mouse-over text, that he could not explain why the tapping activity was fun in its own right and not just a consequence of boredom, so avoids having to explain in the first instance.

Other comics have shown the idea of feeling embarrassed by what one likes, to the point of refusing to admit that one likes it. Examples are 245: Floor Tiles and the title text of 1103: Nine.

Transcript

[Cueball is sitting at a desk, tapping various parts of it.]

Cueball: Hey, I can get different pitches by tapping on different parts of the desk.

Discussion

- What can we learn from this? - I've learned that even when we are bored, we can still find lessons all around us. Such as a lesson in variable density of any surface (in this case, wood) and a new method of entertainment (thank you Mr. XKCD). - E-inspired (talk) 16:40, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

I expected a veloceraptor. Just saying.--173.245.56.162 11:33, 8 May 2015 (UTC)

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